Skip bar



Nov. 12, 1946; c. w. LAPHA 2,411,045

SKIP BAR Filed Aug. 17, 1945 Inventor f/zaries Zd Zap/2a,

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Patented Nov. 12, 1946 ZAlifl iS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKIP BAR Charles W. Lapha, Florham Park, N. J.

Application August 17, 1945, Serial No. 611,055

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in skip bars for multiplying punch or like machines, such as key-pimch .and verifying machines used in the art of punched-card tabulating.

The skip bar presently used on multiplying punch machines has its upper edge at X level. An appropriately located cut out in the upper edge of the bar allows punching only in the card columns corresponding to the low level afforded by such cut out, all other card columns being automatically skipped. Many skip bars are therefore necessary for the various requirements that might arise for punching in different groups of columns.

The skip bar presently used on key-punch and verifying machines may have three levels; high level for automatically skipping certain columns, X level either for punching certain columns or for skipping certain columns when the skip key of the machine is depressed, and low level for punching certain columns and not allowing skipping to another level by means of the skip key. Many skip bars are therefore necessary for the various requirements on different jobs.

These conventional skip bars are of integral construction, being pre-shaped before use with some difiiculty and undue expense.

To make it possible to have a skip bar for any possible combination of requirements and not have to wait weeks to order and receive a required skip bar, is the primary object of the present invention.

In carrying out the above object, I may provide a skip bar whose upper edge is at the low level and is provided with a longitudinal groove of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine. Three sets of inserts may be used and adapted for selective snug removable reception in said groove,

the inserts of each set differing in length, and

the inserts of one set being of a height corresponding to low level, those of another set being of a height corresponding to X level, and those of the remaining set being of a height corresponding to high level. When the inserts have been properly placed in the groove, the required ski bar is bad.

The exact nature of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the bar member forming part of a skip bar constructed in ac cordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4. is a longitudinal section taken on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view illustrating one set of inserts in top plan, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the inserts of the set whose height corresponds to the X level.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the illustrated skip bar includes an elongated bar member 5 having the usual irregular lower edge 6 for reasons well known in the art and provided at one end with a transverse opening I to receive a pin and thereby facilitate locking of the bar member in place in the machine. The upper edge 8 of the bar member 5 is located at low level and is provided with a longitudinal groove 9 that is open at the locked end of the bar member and closed adjacent the other end thereof. This groove is of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine for which the skip bar is designed.

A plurality of sets of inserts are preferably provided for selective use in connection with the bar member 5, said inserts being adapted for snug removable reception in the groove 9. One set of inserts is shown in Figure 5, and it will be noted that the inserts of each set differ in length. For instance, inserts it may be provided which are respectively of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, and column length, as indicated. The inserts of one set may be of a Vertical width or height corresponding to the depth of groove 9 and thereby corresponding to low level as indicated at a in Figure l. The inserts of another set are of a height corresponding to X level as indicated at b, and a third set may be provided which are of a height corresponding to high level as indicated at c. In the bar member shown, the groove is punch card columns long. By closing the groove at one end, the inserts are prevented from sliding out of the groove at that end. The low level inserts are provided to simply fill in the desired portion of the groove, the level inserts being used for the punch or skip sections of the card, and the high level inserts being used to automatically skip certain columns on the machine. The inserts are preferably made of metal and fit snugly in the groove so that they will not jar out in use, but may be removed by the use of a small pair of pliers. The skip bar rack of the machine has a holding device that keeps the inserts from sliding to the left or out of the groove at the locked end of the bar member 5. One end of each insert is preferably beveled as at H obliquely of the bar member so that the lever which rides along the top of the skip bar and the inserts will not catch on the latter and stop the machine.

From the foregoing description, it Will be seen that there are suificient inserts of various length in each set so .that it is possible to make'any desired combination of low and X levels or of high, X and low levels for the skip bar. This may be readily accomplished by the machine operator to provide any skip bar required and Without the usual delay required to order and receive a required skip bar from the manufacturer.

What I claim is:

1. A skip bar for multiplying punch, or like machines, comprising an elongated bar member having an upper edge located at low level and provided With a longitudinal groove of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine, and a set of inserts adapted for selective snug removable reception in said groove, the inserts of said set differing in length and being of a height corresponding to X level.

2. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein the groove is open at one end of the bar member and. closed adjacent the other end thereof.

3. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein each insert has a beveled end located .to extend obliquely of the bar member.

4. A skip bar for multiplying punch or like machines, comprising an elongated bar member having an upper edge located at low level and provided with a longitudinal groove of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine, and a plurality of sets of inserts adapted for selective snug removable reception in said groove, the inserts of each set differing in length, the inserts of one set being of a height corresponding to low level, and those of another set being of a height corresponding to X level.

5. A skip bar for multiplying punch or like machines, comprising an elongated bar member having an upper edge located at low level and provided with a longitudinal groove of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine, and a plurality of sets of inserts adapted for selective snug removable reception in said groove, the inserts of each set difiering in length, the inserts of one set being of a height corresponding to X level, and

those of another set being of a height corresponding to high level.

6. A skip bar for multiplying punch or like machines, comprising an elongated bar member having an upper edge located at low level and provided with a longitudinal groove of a length corresponding to the number of columns on a punch card used in the machine, and a plurality of sets of inserts adapted for selective snug removable reception in said groove, the inserts of each set difiering in length, the inserts of one set being of a height corresponding to low level, those of another set being of a height corresponding to X level, and those of still another set being of a height corresponding to high level.

CHARLES W. LAPHA. 

